Luke Mickelson, a carpenter from Twin Falls, Idaho, has overseen the construction and delivery of 396,000 beds for children in the United States and Canada since December 2012.
The idea began with a single bunk built in Mickelson’s garage for a child who had been sleeping on the floor. A Christmas project that night turned into a movement after volunteers saw the impact of a simple bed.
By 2013, Mickelson and Jordan Allen formalised the effort into Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that now boasts over 400 chapters across North America. Each chapter recruits local volunteers, gathers materials, and identifies families in need.
Every year, the organization runs Bunks Across America, a week‑long sprint that brings together 250 chapters and 15,000 volunteers. In 2025, the campaign built 10,075 beds and logged 12,955 volunteers, delivering more than 300,000 beds to children nationwide.
One early delivery to a single family left a lasting image: a boy who had slept on a pile of clothes stepped into a new bunk and spent the night surrounded by pillows. That moment crystallised the mission of providing a safe, dignified sleeping space for every child.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace will launch its 2026 Bunks Across America event from September 5–12, targeting 12,000 beds and 15,000 volunteers. The organization is also seeking corporate partners to supply mattresses and bedding for the upcoming campaign.